MM22 Archives - Page 4 of 9 - Arthur Mennonite Church

Roman’s Road

Posted on Jun 15, 2022 in Midweek Meditation, MM22 |

Read: Romans 3:10, 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10, 10:13, 5:1-2, 8:1

Do you recognize the above verses? Why are there so many of them? What truths are they sharing? These verses in Romans are often called the Romans Road to Salvation. They contain the essential truths of the Christian faith. Let’s look in a little more detail to these verses:

1) The Human Problem (3:10, 3:23, 6:23a) Our call is to live a glorious, righteous life with God, yet sin (wrongdoing) has entered the world and unfortunately lives in each of our hearts. Have you sinned? 6:23a says in order to pay for sin and to abolish it, death is what must be paid.

2) Is there any Hope to be Restored if Death is required? (6:23b, 5:8). These scriptures tell us that we see God’s love demonstrated by Christ’s action to die on the cross while we are still affected by the sin nature. He chose to figure out a way for us to have hope.

3) What is our Response to this Hope? (10:9-10, 10:13) Salvation comes to us when we confess with our mouths Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is available to all people and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

4) Result of Salvation (5:1-2, 8:1) Two of the (many) promised results of salvation are peace and no further condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

This is a long path to walk in such a few short paragraphs. If you have read these verses and wish to talk to someone about any piece of this, please reach out to the office, or the Ministry team, or your closest friend who is a Christian to discuss this further.

Prayer
God, Thank you for the Roman’s Road message. Let us not read it and forget it, but let it help us to come to faith, to encourage others to respond to you, and to give us assurance in our discipleship

~ written by Jenni Marner

June 8, 2022 Midweek Reflection

Posted on Jun 8, 2022 in Midweek Meditation, MM22 |

Read: Galatians 6:10

We just experienced the time of year when graduates were celebrated. At graduation ceremonies much advice is handed out. Barbara Bush gave a speech to graduates and she said, “Cherish your human connections…your relationships with family and friends…the human connections with spouse, children and friends are the most important investment you can make. At the end of your life you will never regret not passing one more test, winning one more verdict or closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a child, a friend or a parent.” It is human nature to want purpose. We would all like to think people’s lives are better because we were here. How can we in AMC make a difference?

A journalist asked the late Mother Teresa if it weren’t discouraging to work with so many poor people who never seemed to improve their lot in life. She responded, “Sir I wasn’t called to be successful – I was called to be faithful.” We are called to be faithful wherever God has placed us. God asked Moses what was in his hand. It was a shepherd’s staff, but God used that to change history. What is in your hand? Is it a wooden spoon? That could turn out a cake or cookies that would show God’s love to neighbors or to a college student who just needs to know he’s not forgotten. The pen you hold could produce a note of encouragement or a thank you to someone who needs to know they’re appreciated. The book on your lap could make a special moment with a child. If you have money in your hand it could buy some groceries for a needy family. Sometimes we think we need special gifts to serve God but he desires that we trust Him and give Him what we already hold in our hands.

Galatians 6:10 tells us that as we have opportunity let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of God. Look around at how you can love others and thus fulfill the love of Christ. Use what you have in your hand. I read that the holiest moment in any church service is when God’s people go out the doors and into the world. God wants us to be dispensers like a Windex bottle squirting life, light and love. If my bottle is empty because I’ve been self centered and plugged up with all the hurts of life my water is not fresh and refreshing. Life is not made up of big moments, but in being faithful in all the small things that come our way.

Make it personal: As you go out this week notice the people God is placing in your path. Be a dispenser of life and love. Use what you have in your hand to make a difference for someone else.

~ written by Gloria Yoder

Rejoice & Mourn

Posted on Jun 1, 2022 in Midweek Meditation, MM22 |

Read: Romans 12:9-21

Recently I have had the opportunity to celebrate with those who have received good news and mourn with those who have received bad news or have lost a loved one here on earth. As a pastor I have these opportunities often but in Roman 12 we are reminded that this is something that all believers should do for one another, and often.

How easy is it for you to “Rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn?” We often feel sympathy and extend sympathy to those who are going through difficult times or have lost a family member or friend, but how good are we at celebrating with those who rejoice even though we may not be blessed or as fortunate as they are.

In my Bible this section of scripture in Romans is titled “Love in Action.” As fellow believers we need to support each other and love each other in all courses of life. We are not to be jealous of others successes or ignore the plight of the needy. We are even encouraged in these verses to bless those who persecute us instead of cursing them. May the Lord help us all to be the people of God we are called to be. To rejoice, mourn, bless, and love others in the ups and downs of life. We ourselves will be blessed if we do so.

Make It Personal: Think of someone you know who has been especially blessed with good news recently. Now think of someone who is going through a very rough time in their life. Find ways this week to rejoice with the one who is blessed and come close to the one who is stressed.

Have a great week, Glen Rhodes

Your Burning Bush

Posted on May 25, 2022 in Midweek Meditation, MM22 |

Read: Exodus 3:1-12

The account of Moses and the burning bush in Exodus 3 is one that always intrigues. While the details are very clear it often leaves us wondering what a burning bush that never burns up might look like. The physical attributes are really not the most important part of this story though, God is speaking to Moses and this was how he chose to get his attention. How does that work for us today?

We often hear people talk about getting in touch with God or feeling close to the Lord through prayer, reading the Bible, meditating on scripture, being silent and listening, nature, and other means, but how do we know if what we are hearing is a clear guidance or directive from God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit? The first step is to offer yourself to God. Moses did that by saying, “Here I am.” Then the Lord spoke.

The next step is to test the word to see if it lines up with God’s word and the life of Jesus. Prayer, talking with other believers, and asking God for more details can often be a way to distinguish between God’s directive or that of a false prophet or false directive. Moses questioned his call to lead the Isrealites out of Egypt and didn’t think he had what it would take, but God always had the answer to his questions. God was calling and God would provide. How might the Lord be speaking to you these days and in what way is God speaking? What is your response going to be?

Make It Personal: Make sure you are seeking the Lord and asking for his guidance with some of the big decisions in your life. Always be listening because sometimes the Lord will speak into your life even if you are not asking for it. My prayer is that we will always respond to God’s leading and trust that the Lord will be with us and provide for us. Here I am Lord!

Have a great week, Glen Rhodes